Newbury, VT – Blanche Evelyn Oliver, 99, died Thursday, March 13, 2014, at the Atkinson Home in Newbury. She was born in Bradford, VT, May 1, 1914, a daughter of Milo and Grace (Hartley) Adams. She graduated from Woodsville High School, Class of 1933. Blanche was a member of the First Congregational Church of Newbury for over 50 years. She was also member of the Women's Fellowship and the church choir. Blanche was active with the Woodsville Sunshine Bowling League, Women's Home Dem, and the Orange County Democratic Party. For more than 65 years, Blanche was an Avon Representative. She was predeceased by her first husband, Burt O. Wheeler on May 15, 1960; her second husband, George W. "Jim" Oliver on April 19, 1989; a sister, Louise LaRock; two brothers, Melvin and John Adams; four stepchildren, Phyllis Minshull, Marion DesChamps, Marjorie Salomaa, Harry Oliver, and George Oliver, Jr; a daughter-in-law, JoAnne Wheeler; and two sons-in-law, Eben Smith and Neil Lufkin. Survivors include five daughters, Donna Lufkin of Newbury, Betty Emerson and husband Earl of Newbury, Mary Smith of Belleview, FL, Josephine Rivera and husband Ismeal of Danielson, CT, and Nancy Underhill and Ernest "Bud" of Haverhill, NH; four sons, Robert Wheeler and wife Marilyn of Wells River, VT, Steve Wheeler and wife Lynn of Woodsville, NH, James Wheeler of West Newbury, and Charles "Tony" Wheeler and wife Rhonda of Newbury; three stepchildren, John Oliver, Betty Lyndes, and Nancy Bean; 21 grandchildren; many great grandchildren; several great great grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Calling hours will be on Monday, March 17 ^th , from 6 to 8 PM at Ricker Funeral Home, 1 Birch Street, Woodsville, NH.
A memorial service will be on Tuesday, March 18 ^th, at 1 PM at The First Congregational Church of Newbury, 4915 Main Street South, Newbury, VT, with Rev. Kathryn Maver officiating. Burial will be on Saturday, May 3, 2014, at 1 PM at the Oxbow Cemetery, Newbury. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The First Congregational Church of Newbury, 4915 Main Street South, Newbury, VT 05051.